Jadeveon Clowney can learn from former Colts defensive lineman

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 22: Former South Carolina defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney speaks to the media during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 22, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)(Photo: Joe Robbins)

No one questions Jadeveon Clowney's ability to wreak havoc between the white lines.

Consider his 13 sacks and 23½ tackles for loss as a sophomore defensive end at South Carolina. Clowney's game-changing potential likely would have seen him emerge as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft had league rules offered that option.

And when the topic turns to impactful plays, flip on the video highlight of The Hit, Clowney's de-cleating – de-helmeting, actually – of Michigan running back Vincent Smith in South Carolina's 2013 Outback Bowl win over the Wolverines.

"Extremely talented,'' offered Jacksonville general manager Dave Caldwell, who could make Clowney a cornerstone of his massive renovation if he's still on the board when the Jaguars invest the draft's third overall pick in May.

Added NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock: "I know he's got the physical makeup to be the best player in the draft. If you want to compare him with Mario Williams, I think he's a better football player with more upside than when Mario came out of college and he was obviously the first pick.''

The question isn't Clowney as a high-performance vehicle. It's what's under the hood? After his impactful sophomore season, he managed just three sacks in 2013 while battling a sickness, bone spurs, bruised ribs and incredible hype.

"My biggest concern is just what's his mental makeup and how important is it to him when he gets a big paycheck to become the best football player, or is he going to be happy to be a millionaire?'' Mayock said. "I know what the football player is when he's motivated.

"I just want to know what kind of kid I'm getting.''

Former South Carolina Defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney talks the media at the NFL combine.

That question seemed to gain momentum recently when Clowney's coach, Steve Spurrier, fell short of giving him a ringing endorsement. Asked by NFL Network to describe Clowney's work ethic, he replied, "He's OK.''

Clowney did his best to counter the persistent concern when meeting with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"I don't really have nothing to say about it,'' he said of Spurrier's comment. "I believe I did work hard. You pull out any practice tape from last year, you'll see that.

"I will always be working hard.''

Emtman always motivated

Steve Emtman has been where Clowney is about to go. In 1992, he was that singular defensive force. The 290-pound Washington defensive lineman was drafted No. 1 overall by the Indianapolis Colts.

Injuries sabotaged Emtman's NFL career. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee as a rookie, tore his patellar tendon and two ligaments in his right knee in Year 2 – "My lower leg basically was hanging on by skin,'' he said – and suffered a neck injury in 1994.

Emtman appeared in 18 games in three seasons with the Colts, 14 as a starter. His NFL career spanned only six seasons and included stints with Miami and Washington before he walked away when he became convinced he couldn't play at the necessary level.

Through it all, though, no one ever questioned Emtman's relentless approach. An elite player, he insisted, shouldn't require external motivation.

"It's always been my nature that whatever the situation, you've got to go out there and compete,'' said Emtman, who's 43 and has found life after the NFL in real estate development and construction in the Spokane, Wash. area. "That's the pressure I always felt.

"I didn't worry that much about what other people expected. I tried to be the best at whatever I did. That's part of being an athlete.''

Although Emtman didn't specifically address the uncertainty following Clowney, he sounded incredulous that any athlete should face such scrutiny.

"If anyone has a heart and a spine they should feel the pressure because that's why you're getting paid so much,'' Emtman said. "You do it because that's who you are.''

Unfulfilled promise

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel runs his 40-yard-dash during the second day of the NFL Scouting Combine Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Photo: Matt Kryger/The Star)

Scouts from NFL teams watch as USC running back Silas Redd crosses the finish line during the 40-yard-dash on the second day of the NFL Scouting Combine Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. (Photo: Matt Kryger/The Star)

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The '92 draft was supposed to lay a defensive foundation to help lift the Colts out of their prolonged mediocrity. After Emtman, the team used the second overall pick on linebacker Quentin Coryatt and No. 29 on cornerback Ashley Ambrose.

Emtman lasted three years before being released. Coryatt played at a high enough level to command a second contract – he started 76 of 78 regular-season games in six seasons – but, like with Emtman, saw injury end his career. Ambrose primarily was used as a nickel back during his four-year, 56-game stint with the Colts.

"The saddest day of my career was leaving Indy,'' Emtman said. "We went through a lot together. I definitely enjoyed trying to be a part of that original group to help turn Indy around.''

Some consider Emtman one of the colossal busts among No. 1 overall picks. His NFL resume consists of 50 games, 121 tackles, eight sacks and an interception as a rookie against Miami's Dan Marino he returned 90 yards for a touchdown.

"I don't think I achieved what I wanted to,'' Emtman said. "I don't think I achieved what I should have. But at the same time, after I tore up my right knee (in 1993), I was back on the field in 11 months trying to do my best. It was probably against my better judgment. Looking back, I should have taken the whole year off.

"But I try not to look back.''

Different time

Emtman laughed as he considered his pre-draft experience. He left Washington after his junior season, and did not participate in the NFL Scouting Combine. He held his own workout in Seattle.

"Damn, that's a long time ago,'' Emtman said. "Now, there's so much more interest in what's going on.

"I was just a dumb college kid doing what he was told to do. But not going to the combine worked out OK for me. People came out to Seattle. I remember Indy had a full group there.''

The NFL issued more than 900 media credentials for its latest combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Drawing the largest crowds at the podiums were Missouri defensive end Michael Sam, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel and Clowney.

The Houston Texans hold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and no one will be surprised if they are the latest to opt for a franchise QB – Manziel or Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater – rather than reinforce another position. Since 1990, a quarterback has been first off the board 14 times, including in 12 of the last 16 drafts. There have been five defensive players taken No. 1 during that stretch, but only two since '98 – Williams and Courtney Brown (by Cleveland in 2000).

Clowney lobbied to join Williams and Brown. Motivation, he insisted, won't be an issue wherever he lands.

"I want to be one of the best in the NFL, go down in history as one of the best,'' he said.

Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830. You can follow him on Twitter at @mchappell51